source code Archives

Winsage

August 5, 2025

2025 One Hertz Challenge: Analog Clock For Microsoft Windows

A contributor named glgorman has submitted an entry for the One Hertz Challenge, which is an analog software clock designed for Microsoft Windows. The project is in its early stages and features code that computes geometric objects like points, lines, and circles without branch instructions. It includes calculations for the angle of the sun to accurately cast shadows from the clock hands onto the clock face. The project is inspired by Euclid’s Elements, a significant historical geometry text. Additionally, it explores creative designs that emphasize date display and use colors instead of traditional clock hands.

AppWizard

August 3, 2025

What You Should Know About the New, Free Messaging App Bitchat

On July 28, Jack Dorsey introduced Bitchat Mesh, an open-source messaging application available for free in Apple's App Store. The app features a minimalist design and transmits messages exclusively via Bluetooth, establishing a mesh network for connectivity without relying on phone numbers or internet access. Users can communicate with nearby devices and extend their network reach through a series of connections. Each device acts as both a client and a server, and messages sent in the main chat are visible to all users within the network, while private messaging is available for one-on-one conversations. Additional features include the ability to send private messages, block users, and engage in playful interactions, with notifications for screenshots taken during conversations. Although the app is open-source, raising transparency about its code, Dorsey issued a security warning highlighting that it has not undergone external security reviews and may contain vulnerabilities.

Tech Optimizer

July 29, 2025

Developer of Kapitano (Linux Virus Scanner) Abandons Ship

Kapitano, a user-friendly ship-themed virus scanner, has been officially shelved by its developer, zynequ, who cited negative experiences and personal attacks as reasons for discontinuation. The application, which served as a graphical user interface for the ClamAV scanning engine, received positive feedback but faced skepticism regarding the need for virus detection on Linux systems. The developer has released the source code into the public domain under The Unlicense, allowing others to continue its development. The app will be delisted from Flathub and marked as end-of-life, meaning it will no longer receive updates but will still function for existing users.

AppWizard

July 13, 2025

Secure Messaging: The Guardian Leverages Millions of Readers to Provide Strong Plausible Deniability

The Guardian has introduced a tool called Secure Messaging to protect journalistic sources, utilizing an open-source technology named CoverDrop. This system allows whistleblowers to communicate securely and anonymously with journalists by concealing the fact that messaging is occurring. CoverDrop integrates a module within The Guardian's mobile app, an untrusted cloud-based API, on-premises services known as CoverNode, and a desktop application for journalists. The CoverNode functions as a mix node to ensure the anonymity of sources. The app exchanges encrypted messages that appear indistinguishable from regular app data, providing cover for users. The technology has been rolled out to millions of users this year, and a white paper detailing its design has been published. Currently, the platform does not allow sharing of photographs or documents, but future plans include linking uploaded files with conversations. The source code for CoverDrop is available on GitHub under the Apache License 2.0.

AppWizard

July 12, 2025

Android’s first Canary release brings a major upgrade to split-screen multitasking

In the latest Android Canary release, users can experience a new 90/10 split-screen ratio, allowing a primary application to occupy 90% of the screen while a secondary app takes up 10%. This feature complements the existing 70/30 split-screen configuration. Users can easily swap the two applications with a tap. The 90:10 split-screen option was officially launched in July's Android Canary release and has been part of Android 16's source code. It is being implemented in various Android 16-based operating systems, including Samsung's One UI 8. The feature was inspired by OPPO’s Boundless View multitasking system, although OPPO did not directly contribute to it.

AppWizard

July 9, 2025

Twitter Co-Founder Jack Dorsey’s Bitchat Aims to Kickstart the Offline Messaging Revolution

Jack Dorsey is developing Bitchat, a decentralized messaging application created over a weekend. It operates on Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) mesh networks, allowing devices within a 300-meter range to exchange encrypted messages without the need for internet connectivity or phone numbers. Bitchat forms a dynamic mesh network where messages can hop through nearby devices if a direct connection is unavailable. Messages are end-to-end encrypted, stored only on the sender's and receiver's devices, and disappear after a set time. Users can create group discussions, called "rooms," with hashtags and passwords, and a "Panic Mode" feature enables quick data deletion. Bitchat includes store-and-forward messaging for offline users and has plans for a Wi-Fi Direct update. The app does not collect personal information or track user activity, making it suitable for use in regions with censorship or network issues. Its beta launch on TestFlight quickly reached 10,000 users, and it features a minimalist interface for ease of use. The open-source code is available on GitHub for developer contributions.

TrendTechie

July 3, 2025

Релиз qBittorrent 5.1.2

qBittorrent 5.1.2 was released on July 2, 2025. It is an open-source torrent client developed with the Qt toolkit, available for Linux, Windows, and macOS. The source code is on GitHub under the GPLv2+ license. The update focuses on bug fixes, including improvements to the WEBUI, a backup update mechanism, and a resolution for an issue in the WEBAPI related to trimming leading spaces in the "Run external program" fields. A fix for macOS prevents the application from blocking exit when the main window is closed.

Tech Optimizer

July 1, 2025

Industry Exchange Data 2025: EDB’s Jeremy Wilson on how to secure your data (Psst: Secure your database)

All software is susceptible to security vulnerabilities, but open-source solutions can enhance defenses against cyber threats, according to Jeremy Wilson, CTO for the North America public sector at EDB. He noted that the global community continuously inspects open-source code, leading to fewer issues and quicker resolutions. EDB's PostgreSQL database product is designed for online transaction systems, data warehousing, and analytics, incorporating security enhancements and performance improvements. EDB synchronizes its release cycles with the open-source community and aims to meet regulatory requirements, including obtaining FedRAMP High certification. EDB collaborates with Red Hat to implement security controls and has integrated features like transparent data encryption and APIs to support zero trust cybersecurity initiatives. Wilson acknowledged challenges agencies face when transitioning to open-source solutions, including legacy systems and regulatory compliance hurdles. EDB aims to provide a turnkey enterprise database that simplifies the migration of applications, ensuring compliance with FIPS 140-3 and DISA STIGs.

AppWizard

June 30, 2025

Ask Jerry: Who are the 3 billion Android users?

Apple claims to have two billion devices, and these figures are credible. The numbers refer to devices rather than users, and a device is classified as active if it communicates with the Play Store at least once every 30 days. Android devices include smartphones, wearables, tablets, media streamers, and Chromebooks, contributing to over three billion devices in total. A single user can own multiple devices, which can inflate the overall count. Estimates suggest that three billion devices may be used by only 375 million distinct individuals, but there is no verifiable data on the actual number of users versus devices.

Winsage

June 30, 2025

Microsoft readies Windows 11 users for 25H2

Microsoft has announced that Windows 11 25H2 is forthcoming, serving as a feature enablement update rather than a complete overhaul, sharing the same underlying source code as Windows 11 24H2. Windows Insiders have already gained early access to 25H2, which will introduce additional features activated through an enablement package. Jason Leznek, Principal Project Manager for Windows Servicing and Delivery, noted the seamless compatibility between the two versions, advising a focus on new features rather than a comprehensive review of the operating system. Windows 11 24H2 has faced various issues since its release in 2024, leading to compatibility holds from Microsoft. A significant change in Windows 11 25H2 includes the retirement of the Blue Screen of Death (BSoD), which will be replaced by a black "unexpected restart" screen, while still allowing users to view the stop error code. Microsoft is also introducing quick recovery options for PCs that have trouble restarting and enhancing its security framework by allowing antivirus and endpoint protection vendors to operate in user mode outside of the Windows kernel. The BSoD replacement is expected to roll out on Windows 11 24H2 devices over the summer and will be a key feature of Windows 11 25H2. Additionally, the Windows endpoint security platform will enter private preview in July.